Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Vows To Die In Syria

Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad on Thursday rejected calls that he seek a safe exit,
vowing he would "live in Syria and die in Syria" in an interview
with Russian-backed international channel RT.

"I am not a puppet. I was not made by the West to go to the West
or to any other country," Assad, who is facing a nearly 20-month
revolt against his rule, told the channel in English, according
to transcripts posted on the state-backed Russian news channel's
website.

"I am Syrian, I was made in Syria, I have to live in Syria and
die in Syria," he said.

British Prime Minister David
Cameron on Tuesday floated the idea of granting Assad safe
passage from the country, saying it "could be arranged" though he
wanted the Syrian leader to face international justice.

Assad also warned against a foreign intervention to deal with
Syria's escalating conflict, saying such a move would have global
consequences and shake regional stability.

"We are the last stronghold of secularism and stability in the
region... it will have a domino effect that will affect the world
from the Atlantic to the Pacific," he said.

"I do not think the West is going (to intervene), but if they do
so, nobody can tell what is next," Assad said.

In a separate video extract of the interview, Assad also said:
"The price of this invasion, if it happens, is going to be big,
more than the whole world can afford."

Many in Syria's opposition, including armed rebels waging fierce
battles with pro-regime forces, have urged the international
community to intervene to stop escalating bloodshed in the
country that rights groups say has left more than 37,000 people
dead.